A Study On The Relationship Between Local Government Environmental Attention And Inter-regional Carbon Emission Transfer Network

This thesis explores the factors influencing carbon emission transfer in 30 provinces of China and the impact of environmental attention of local governments on regional carbon emission transfer network from the perspective of environmental attention of local governments.This thesis argues that environmental attention of local governments not only reflects local governments’ attitudes and actions on environmental issues,but also affects the pattern of inter-regional carbon emission transfer network.This thesis calculates the carbon emission transfer out,transfer in and net transfer amount of 30 provinces for 2012 and 2017 based on the multi-regional input-output table(MRIO),and constructs the carbon emission transfer network;uses a text analysis method to measure the environmental attention index of 30 provinces from 2008 to 2017,and analyzes the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics;uses the quadratic assignment procedure(QAP)method to test the correlation and regression relationship between environmental attention of local governments and carbon emission transfer.The main conclusions are as follows:First,there are complex and dynamic carbon emission transfer relationships among provinces in China.The eastern region has the most carbon emission transfer out and transfer in,the central region has changed from a “bearer” to a “beneficiary” of carbon emission negative externalities,and the western region and the northeast region have always been “bearers” of carbon emission negative externalities,and their bearing amounts have increased.In the carbon emission transfer network,economically developed provinces in the eastern region are central nodes of carbon emission transfer out,Henan and Anhui in the central region are important nodes of carbon emission transfer in,Liaoning in the northeast region is a bridging node of the network,and Qinghai,Gansu,and Ningxia in the western region are isolated nodes of the network.Second,environmental attention of local governments in 30 provinces showed a fluctuating upward trend from 2008 to 2017,with a large increase after 2013.From a temporal perspective,the average trend of environmental attention in 30 provinces can be divided into three stages based on 2012 and 2014 as nodes,namely “the low stage influenced by the global financial crisis”,“the rising stage caused by the change of performance appraisal” and “the relatively stable stage under the ‘new normal’”.From a regional perspective,environmental attention in the eastern,central,and western regions showed an upward trend,while that in the northeast region showed a fluctuating downward trend.Third,there is a weak but significant correlation between local government environmental attention and carbon emission transfer network,indicating that the difference of environmental attention among local governments may lead to carbon emission transfer to other regions,especially when there is a large difference in the dimension of promoting ecological civilization construction,the phenomenon of carbon emission transfer is more obvious.This paper argues that local governments should not only consider environmental goals,but also balance economic development and social stability when formulating environmental policies.Therefore,they may take measures to reduce their own carbon emission pressure,such as transferring polluting industries or using external markets.In addition,this relationship has timeliness,that is,the government attention of the node three years ago has a greater impact on carbon emission transfer.In summary,this thesis reveals a weak but significant correlation between local government environmental attention and carbon emission transfer network by constructing and analyzing carbon emission transfer network.It also explores the relationship between local government environmental attention and carbon emission transfer network.This thesis provides a new perspective and method for understanding and governing inter-regional carbon emission transfer problems.